Celebrity backed brands like this are rarely something that I get excited about. Most of the time, the celebrity doesn't know a damn thing about what a good cigar/product at hand is. I can confidently say that the Blackened by Drew Estate M81 Robusto isn't in that scenario at all. Deliciously bold with earthiness, yet balanced with softer flavors. Nicely done.
The Drew Estate Nica Rustica Adobe Robusto had a solid first third with flavors at times reminding me of baked goods like a scone, but it couldn't maintain that level of complexity through the second and last thirds. While not unpleasant, it just didn't manage the same level of engagement. Would I smoke this again? Normally based on the score I'd say no, but the price point is absurdly approachable so I'd likely smoke these again based on price point alone.
The Herrera Esteli Miami Smoke Inn 25th Anniversary The Raji was a bit of a rare miss for me. The first third was a fairly intense spicy and earth combination that I found worked. As the cigar progressed, the earth components took over and it became more earth forward which took away from the complexity and other flavors.
Elegant and at the same time punchy. The Drew Estate 20 Acre Farm Toro has all the traditional (good) sides of Connecticut Shade as you would want (bread, hay, cedar). But unlike most, this one has a nice consistent dry red pepper spice backing that interplays quite well with the softer notes. I'd call this a winner.
I enjoyed the Drew Estate Liga Privada H99 Toro because of the flavors delivered, but I don't think that this is a cigar for a lot of smokers. This is more fruity and lighter. When you think of wines that are very berry heavy or jammy, Malbec comes to mind, but this is more of a very strawberry Rosé. I know that sounds crazy, but that is the best way for me to describe the smoking experience. Funky smoke.
The Drew Estate BOTL Brown Label 2020 Lancero delivered some consistently good flavors through the first and second third, missing out only slightly in the last third with some imbalance. I smoked two for review, and I would happily return to another, as I think Drew Estate has done well with the BOTL series over the years.
The Drew Estate Undercrown 10 Toro was a good cigar. It was a little one dimensional, and a little heavy on the earth, but there were some flavors that popped out throughout. I would have liked for a stronger finish, and I think that would have made a difference in the cigar. I am interested in smoking the blend in a smaller vitola offering, and really seeing how it smokes all around.
Relatively speaking for a Connecticut broadleaf, the Drew Estate Liga Privada Único Serie Year of the Ox 2021 was on the lighter side. It didn't quite have the highly earthy, viscous and chocolate overlays. Instead, it smoked lighter, especially in terms of earthiness and strength. To me, there's nothing wrong with that and it's a good showing, especially for the Chinese market. A cigar well made to celebrate the Year of the Ox.
The Drew Estate Liga Privada Único Serie Bauhaus is a nice addition to the Unico Serie and for fans of the series, would definitely be worth trying to acquire some from the European market if you can track them down. I'd have no problem smoking more of these, likely in the evening after a nice meal and I could see it pairing well with a nice brown spirit of your choosing.
The Drew Estate Undercrown Shade Suprema had a nice start, but went downhill in each third as some components dropped out and bitterness joined in. Past the first third, the profile is very traditional Connecticut shade with the dry and musty wood and bitterness. I likely won't return to this vitola as I would go back to the previous sizes, but if I'm in the mood for a unique size, I'll go after the Flying Pig.